Bikini magazines have become a regular fixture in our society and they can be found in almost any store or newsstand. But why do bikini magazines make us feel bad? The images of perfect bodies and airbrushed faces can be overwhelming, leading us to compare ourselves to these unrealistic standards and feel inadequate. In this blog post, we’ll explore why bikini magazines can have such a negative impact on our self-esteem and how we can cope with these feelings.
They airbrush
It’s no secret that most images of bikini models in magazines are airbrushed to make them look flawless. This is done for the purpose of creating a “perfect” image, one that would be impossible to achieve without the help of a professional. However, this means that what you are seeing is not real. It’s an idealized version of someone, but not an accurate representation of a real person. As such, it can be difficult to relate to the images you see in these magazines. It can also be disheartening to realize that even the most beautiful people need to be airbrushed to look their best.
The models are unattainably thin
When you look at a bikini magazine, you may notice that the models featured are unusually thin. Not only do they often look unrealistically thin, but they also have an unattainable level of thinness that could not be achieved by any average person, no matter how much they exercised and dieted. This leaves the viewer feeling inadequate and like they should strive to look like these models, even though it is impossible.
A recent survey conducted by the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that around one-third of women aged between 18-25 report feeling “uncomfortable” or “upset” after seeing images in magazines of extremely thin models. This discomfort is only heightened by the prevalence of airbrushing in fashion magazines, which can make the models look even thinner and more unattainable than they already are.
These kinds of images send a dangerous message
that thinness is the most desirable and ideal body type. This kind of pressure to look a certain way is harmful for many people’s mental health, leading to low self-esteem and unrealistic body expectations. The models in these magazines are meant to be aspirational, but their extreme thinness sends the message that this is what everyone should strive to look like.
The focus is on being sexy, not healthy
Bikini magazines are often criticized for promoting a certain type of beauty and body image that is centered around looking sexy and not being healthy. Instead of encouraging healthy lifestyle habits, they portray an image of thin, toned, and airbrushed bodies that often don’t reflect what’s attainable in real life. Women who aspire to look like the models in these magazines may attempt to achieve these unrealistic looks by using extreme diets or dangerous fitness routines.
This promotes an unhealthy focus on appearance that can lead to low self-esteem and damaging behaviors. Additionally, these magazines often depict diets that are not nutritionally balanced and provide little to no advice on how to develop healthy eating habits. In short, bikini magazines are doing a disservice to women by promoting an unhealthy focus on looking sexy rather than being healthy.
